Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.), a former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Interior, has ignited a national debate by asserting that the United States might be strategizing to establish a military base within Nigeria. Speaking at the 7th Annual lecture organized by the Just Friends Club of Nigeria in Abuja, Dambazau suggested that recent foreign narratives, particularly from politicians and religious leaders in the United States concerning alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria, could be veiled attempts to advance external interests.
Examining US Military Presence and Its Efficacy
Dambazau drew parallels to the prolonged US military presence in Niger Republic, where American forces operated two military bases for over a decade without effectively stemming growing insecurity. He questioned the tangible impact of such deployments, stating, "In the more than ten years of US presence in Niger, where it maintained two military bases, what did the US do to prevent the growth of security challenges?" This historical context, he argued, suggests a pattern where the US prioritizes its own interests, potentially seeking an alternative strategic base in Nigeria.
Unpacking External Influence and Allegations of Terror Financing
The former army chief further elaborated on suspicions surrounding foreign engagement, recalling accusations by US congressmen during the initial second coming of the Trump administration, alleging USAID of terrorism financing in Africa. Dambazau posited that the United States is actively searching for an opportunity to establish a significant military footprint in Nigeria, a nation he characterized as known for protecting its interests through various means, including force. He lamented the apparent lack of national unity in Nigeria, which he believes provides "willing partners" for these external agendas, hindering a unified front against terrorism and criminal violence.
Call for National Cohesion Amidst Regional Insecurity
Emphasizing a broader perspective, Dambazau clarified that insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria are not sectarian but rather integral components of wider regional insecurity affecting the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin. He highlighted that both Muslim and Christian communities have tragically borne the brunt of these attacks, citing instances of worshippers being killed in mosques, assassinations of Islamic clerics, and assaults on traditional rulers in the North. Advocating for robust national cohesion, the former minister issued a stern warning against allowing external actors to exploit Nigeria’s internal divisions for their own strategic gains.